1
|
Shukla AK, Awasthi K, Usman K, Banerjee M. Role of renin-angiotensin system/angiotensin converting enzyme-2 mechanism and enhanced COVID-19 susceptibility in type 2 diabetes mellitus. World J Diabetes 2024; 15:606-622. [PMID: 38680697 PMCID: PMC11045416 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i4.606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that caused a global pandemic and is caused by infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus. It has affected over 768 million people worldwide, resulting in approximately 6900000 deaths. High-risk groups, identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include individuals with conditions like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, chronic lung disease, serious heart conditions, and chronic kidney disease. Research indicates that those with T2DM face a heightened susceptibility to COVID-19 and increased mortality compared to non-diabetic individuals. Examining the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), a vital regulator of blood pressure and pulmonary stability, reveals the significance of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 enzymes. ACE converts angiotensin-I to the vasoconstrictor angiotensin-II, while ACE2 counters this by converting angiotensin-II to angiotensin 1-7, a vasodilator. Reduced ACE2 expression, common in diabetes, intensifies RAS activity, contributing to conditions like inflammation and fibrosis. Although ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can be therapeutically beneficial by increasing ACE2 levels, concerns arise regarding the potential elevation of ACE2 receptors on cell membranes, potentially facilitating COVID-19 entry. This review explored the role of the RAS/ACE2 mechanism in amplifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and associated complications in T2DM. Potential treatment strategies, including recombinant human ACE2 therapy, broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, and epigenetic signature detection, are discussed as promising avenues in the battle against this pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Kumar Shukla
- Molecular and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Komal Awasthi
- Molecular and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kauser Usman
- Department of Medicine, King Georges’ Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Monisha Banerjee
- Molecular and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Institute of Advanced Molecular Genetics, and Infectious Diseases (IAMGID), University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gamero-de-Luna EJ, Sánchez-Jaén MR. [Genetic factors associated with long COVID]. Semergen 2024; 50:102187. [PMID: 38277732 DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2023.102187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The variability in expression and evolution of COVID is not completely explained by clinical factors. In fact, genetic factors play an important role. Moreover, it is unknown whether the genetic factor that contribute to susceptibility and severity are also involved in the onset and evolution of long-COVID. The objective of this review is to gather information from literature to understand which genetic factors are involved in the onset of persistent COVID. MATERIAL AND METHODS Systematic review in PubMed and bioRxiv and medRxiv repositories based on MeSH-descriptors and MeSH-terms related to COVID and genetic factors. Using these terms 2715 articles were pooled. An initial screening performed by authors independently, selected 205 articles of interest. A final deeper screening a total of 85 articles were chosen for complete reading and summarized in this review. RESULTS Although ACE2 and TMPSS6 are involved in COVID susceptibility, their involvement in long-COVID has not been found. On the other hand, the severity of the disease and the onset of long-COVID has been associated with different genes involved in the inflammatory and immune response. Particularly interesting has been the association found with the FOXP4 locus. CONCLUSIONS Although studies on long-COVID are insufficient to fully comprehend the cause, it is clear that the current identified genetic factors do not fully explain the progression and onset of long-COVID. Other factors such as polygenic action, pleiotropic genes, the microbiota and epigenetic changes must be considered and studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E J Gamero-de-Luna
- Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud El Juncal, Sevilla, España; GT Medicina Genómica Personalizada y Enfermedades Raras, SEMERGEN, España.
| | - M R Sánchez-Jaén
- GT Medicina Genómica Personalizada y Enfermedades Raras, SEMERGEN, España; Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud de Fabero, León, España
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Naik N, Patel M, Sen R. Developmental Impacts of Epigenetics and Metabolism in COVID-19. J Dev Biol 2024; 12:9. [PMID: 38390960 PMCID: PMC10885083 DOI: 10.3390/jdb12010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental biology is intricately regulated by epigenetics and metabolism but the mechanisms are not completely understood. The situation becomes even more complicated during diseases where all three phenomena are dysregulated. A salient example is COVID-19, where the death toll exceeded 6.96 million in 4 years, while the virus continues to mutate into different variants and infect people. Early evidence during the pandemic showed that the host's immune and inflammatory responses to COVID-19 (like the cytokine storm) impacted the host's metabolism, causing damage to the host's organs and overall physiology. The involvement of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the pivotal host receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was identified and linked to epigenetic abnormalities along with other contributing factors. Recently, studies have revealed stronger connections between epigenetics and metabolism in COVID-19 that impact development and accelerate aging. Patients manifest systemic toxicity, immune dysfunction and multi-organ failure. Single-cell multiomics and other state-of-the-art high-throughput studies are only just beginning to demonstrate the extent of dysregulation and damage. As epigenetics and metabolism directly impact development, there is a crucial need for research implementing cutting-edge technology, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, the identification of biomarkers and clinical trials to help with prevention and therapeutic interventions against similar threats in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noopur Naik
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Mansi Patel
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Rwik Sen
- Active Motif, Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
McClain MT, Zhbannikov I, Satterwhite LL, Henao R, Giroux NS, Ding S, Burke TW, Tsalik EL, Nix C, Balcazar JP, Petzold EA, Shen X, Woods CW. Epigenetic and transcriptional responses in circulating leukocytes are associated with future decompensation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. iScience 2024; 27:108288. [PMID: 38179063 PMCID: PMC10765013 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
To elucidate host response elements that define impending decompensation during SARS-CoV-2 infection, we enrolled subjects hospitalized with COVID-19 who were matched for disease severity and comorbidities at the time of admission. We performed combined single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (scATAC-seq) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at admission and compared subjects who improved from their moderate disease with those who later clinically decompensated and required invasive mechanical ventilation or died. Chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic immune profiles were markedly altered between the two groups, with strong signals in CD4+ T cells, inflammatory T cells, dendritic cells, and NK cells. Multiomic signature scores at admission were tightly associated with future clinical deterioration (auROC 1.0). Epigenetic and transcriptional changes in PBMCs reveal early, broad immune dysregulation before typical clinical signs of decompensation are apparent and thus may act as biomarkers to predict future severity in COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micah T. McClain
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Ilya Zhbannikov
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Research Unit, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lisa L. Satterwhite
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ricardo Henao
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nicholas S. Giroux
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Shengli Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Thomas W. Burke
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Christina Nix
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jorge Prado Balcazar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Petzold
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Xiling Shen
- Terasaki Institute for Biological Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Christopher W. Woods
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dey A, Vaishak K, Deka D, Radhakrishnan AK, Paul S, Shanmugam P, Daniel AP, Pathak S, Duttaroy AK, Banerjee A. Epigenetic perspectives associated with COVID-19 infection and related cytokine storm: an updated review. Infection 2023; 51:1603-1618. [PMID: 36906872 PMCID: PMC10008189 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02017-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has put the world in a medical crisis for the past three years; nearly 6.3 million lives have been diminished due to the virus outbreak. This review aims to update the recent findings on COVID-19 infections from an epigenetic scenario and develop future perspectives of epi-drugs to treat the disease. METHODS Original research articles and review studies related to COVID-19 were searched and analyzed from the Google Scholar/PubMed/Medline databases mainly between 2019 and 2022 to brief the recent work. RESULTS Numerous in-depth studies of the mechanisms used by SARS-CoV-2 have been going on to minimize the consequences of the viral outburst. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 receptors and Transmembrane serine protease 2 facilitate viral entry to the host cells. Upon internalization, it uses the host machinery to replicate viral copies and alter the downstream regulation of the normal cells, causing infection-related morbidities and mortalities. In addition, several epigenetic regulations such as DNA methylation, acetylation, histone modifications, microRNA, and other factors (age, sex, etc.) are responsible for the regulations of viral entry, its immune evasion, and cytokine responses also play a major modulatory role in COVID-19 severity, which has been discussed in detail in this review. CONCLUSION Findings of epigenetic regulation of viral pathogenicity open a new window for epi-drugs as a possible therapeutical approach against COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amit Dey
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai, TN, 603103, India
| | - K Vaishak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai, TN, 603103, India
| | - Dikshita Deka
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai, TN, 603103, India
| | - Arun Kumar Radhakrishnan
- Department of Pharmacology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chennai, TN, India
| | - Sujay Paul
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Queretaro, Av. Epigmenio Gonzalez, No.500 Fracc., CP 76130, San Pablo, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Priyadarshini Shanmugam
- Department of Microbiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chennai, TN, 603103, India
| | - Alice Peace Daniel
- Department of Microbiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chennai, TN, 603103, India
| | - Surajit Pathak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai, TN, 603103, India
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Antara Banerjee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai, TN, 603103, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moatar AI, Chis AR, Romanescu M, Ciordas PD, Nitusca D, Marian C, Oancea C, Sirbu IO. Plasma miR-195-5p predicts the severity of Covid-19 in hospitalized patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13806. [PMID: 37612439 PMCID: PMC10447562 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40754-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting the clinical course of Covid-19 is a challenging task, given the multi-systemic character of the disease and the paucity of minimally invasive biomarkers of disease severity. Here, we evaluated the early (first two days post-admission) level of circulating hsa-miR-195-5p (miR-195, a known responder to viral infections and SARS-CoV-2 interactor) in Covid-19 patients and assessed its potential as a biomarker of disease severity. We show that plasma miR-195 correlates with several clinical and paraclinical parameters, and is an excellent discriminator between the severe and mild forms of the disease. Our Gene Ontology analysis of miR-195 targets differentially expressed in Covid-19 indicates a strong impact on cardiac mitochondria homeostasis, suggesting a possible role in long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ioana Moatar
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Aimee Rodica Chis
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Complex Network Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mirabela Romanescu
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Paula-Diana Ciordas
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Diana Nitusca
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Catalin Marian
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Complex Network Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristian Oancea
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Discipline of Pulmonology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E. Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square 2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioan-Ovidiu Sirbu
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania.
- Center for Complex Network Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", E Murgu Square no.2, 300041, Timisoara, Romania.
- Timisoara Institute of Complex Systems, 18 Vasile Lucaciu Str, 300044, Timisoara, Romania.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Petersen E, Chudakova D, Erdyneeva D, Zorigt D, Shabalina E, Gudkov D, Karalkin P, Reshetov I, Mynbaev OA. COVID-19-The Shift of Homeostasis into Oncopathology or Chronic Fibrosis in Terms of Female Reproductive System Involvement. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108579. [PMID: 37239926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus remains a global public health concern due to the systemic nature of the infection and its long-term consequences, many of which remain to be elucidated. SARS-CoV-2 targets endothelial cells and blood vessels, altering the tissue microenvironment, its secretion, immune-cell subpopulations, the extracellular matrix, and the molecular composition and mechanical properties. The female reproductive system has high regenerative potential, but can accumulate damage, including due to SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is profibrotic and can change the tissue microenvironment toward an oncogenic niche. This makes COVID-19 and its consequences one of the potential regulators of a homeostasis shift toward oncopathology and fibrosis in the tissues of the female reproductive system. We are looking at SARS-CoV-2-induced changes at all levels in the female reproductive system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Petersen
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Daria Chudakova
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Daiana Erdyneeva
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Dulamsuren Zorigt
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | | | - Denis Gudkov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Pavel Karalkin
- P.A. Herzen Moscow Research Institute of Oncology, 125284 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Cluster Oncology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor Reshetov
- Institute of Cluster Oncology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ospan A Mynbaev
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Brest P, Mograbi B, Gal J, Hofman P, Milano G. Host genetic variability and determinants of severe COVID-19. Trends Genet 2023; 39:169-171. [PMID: 36379742 PMCID: PMC9652763 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, convergent studies have provided evidence that host genetic background may contribute to the development of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Here, we summarize how some genetic variations, such as in SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 or interferon signaling pathway, may help to understand why some individuals can develop severe COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Brest
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institute of Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice (IRCAN), Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OncoAge, F-06189 Nice, France.
| | - Baharia Mograbi
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institute of Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice (IRCAN), Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OncoAge, F-06189 Nice, France
| | - Jocelyn Gal
- University Côte d'Azur, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, 33 avenue de Valombrose, F-06189 Nice, France
| | - Paul Hofman
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institute of Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice (IRCAN), Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OncoAge, F-06189 Nice, France; Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Nice, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, FHUOncoAge, Hospital-Integrated Biobank (BB-0033-00025), F-06001 Nice, France
| | - Gerard Milano
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Service de Valorisation Scientifique, F-06100 Nice, France.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Altered expression of DNA methyltransferases and methylation status of the TLR4 and TNF-α promoters in COVID-19. Arch Virol 2023; 168:95. [PMID: 36840831 PMCID: PMC9959945 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05722-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play a significant role in the host's immune response to viral infection. Two epigenetic events, DNA methylation and histone acetylation, are crucial for modifying the chromatin architecture and the location of regulatory elements such as promoters and enhancers. In this case-control study, we evaluated the expression of genes involved in epigenetic machinery (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, HDAC2, and HDAC3) and the degree of methylation of promoters of immune response genes (IFITM1/2/3, TLR3/4, TNF-α, NF-κB, and MYD88) as well as global methylation (LINE-1 and global 5-mC) in blood samples from 120 COVID-19 patients (30 mild, 30 moderate, 30 severe, and 30 critical) and 30 healthy subjects without COVID-19. In contrast to previous reports, DNMT3A and DNMT3B expression was found to be significantly downregulated in COVID-19 cases, whereas DNMT1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 expression did not change. DNMT1 and DNMT3A were negatively correlated with COVID-19 severity. Critically ill patients had lower HDAC3 expression levels. TLR4 and TNF-α had increased promoter methylation, whereas IFITM1/2/3, TLR3, NF-κB, MYD88, and LINE-1 did not differ between cases and controls. Methylation of the TNF-α promoter increased as disease severity increased. Significantly less methylation of the TLR3 promoter was observed in patients with a positive outcome (recovery). We also found a correlation between the expression of DNMT3B and the methylation level of the TLR4 promoter. In milder cases, the global 5-mC levels were lower than that in more severe cases. Our findings suggest the exclusion of DNMTs inhibitors previously recommended for COVID-19 treatment and the need for additional research in this area.
Collapse
|
10
|
Sharma SB, Melvin WJ, Audu CO, Bame M, Rhoads N, Wu W, Kanthi Y, Knight JS, Adili R, Holinstat MA, Wakefield TW, Henke PK, Moore BB, Gallagher KA, Obi AT. The histone methyltransferase MLL1/KMT2A in monocytes drives coronavirus-associated coagulopathy and inflammation. Blood 2023; 141:725-742. [PMID: 36493338 PMCID: PMC9743412 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022015917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus-associated coagulopathy (CAC) is a morbid and lethal sequela of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. CAC results from a perturbed balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis and occurs in conjunction with exaggerated activation of monocytes/macrophages (MO/Mφs), and the mechanisms that collectively govern this phenotype seen in CAC remain unclear. Here, using experimental models that use the murine betacoronavirus MHVA59, a well-established model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we identify that the histone methyltransferase mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1/KMT2A) is an important regulator of MO/Mφ expression of procoagulant and profibrinolytic factors such as tissue factor (F3; TF), urokinase (PLAU), and urokinase receptor (PLAUR) (herein, "coagulopathy-related factors") in noninfected and infected cells. We show that MLL1 concurrently promotes the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines while suppressing the expression of interferon alfa (IFN-α), a well-known inducer of TF and PLAUR. Using in vitro models, we identify MLL1-dependent NF-κB/RelA-mediated transcription of these coagulation-related factors and identify a context-dependent, MLL1-independent role for RelA in the expression of these factors in vivo. As functional correlates for these findings, we demonstrate that the inflammatory, procoagulant, and profibrinolytic phenotypes seen in vivo after coronavirus infection were MLL1-dependent despite blunted Ifna induction in MO/Mφs. Finally, in an analysis of SARS-CoV-2 positive human samples, we identify differential upregulation of MLL1 and coagulopathy-related factor expression and activity in CD14+ MO/Mφs relative to noninfected and healthy controls. We also observed elevated plasma PLAU and TF activity in COVID-positive samples. Collectively, these findings highlight an important role for MO/Mφ MLL1 in promoting CAC and inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sriganesh B. Sharma
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - William J. Melvin
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Christopher O. Audu
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Monica Bame
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicole Rhoads
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Weisheng Wu
- Bioinformatics Core, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yogendra Kanthi
- Laboratory of Vascular Thrombosis & Inflammation, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jason S. Knight
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Reheman Adili
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Michael A. Holinstat
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Thomas W. Wakefield
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Peter K. Henke
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Bethany B. Moore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Katherine A. Gallagher
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrea T. Obi
- Section of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ligi D, Lo Sasso B, Henry BM, Ciaccio M, Lippi G, Plebani M, Mannello F. Deciphering the role of monocyte and monocyte distribution width (MDW) in COVID-19: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Chem Lab Med 2023; 61:960-973. [PMID: 36626568 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by both systemic and organ hyper-thromboinflammation, with a clinical course ranging from mild up-to critical systemic dysfunction and death. In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) the monocyte/macrophage population is deeply involved as both trigger and target, assuming the value of useful diagnostic/prognostic marker of innate cellular immunity. Several studies correlated morphological and immunophenotypic alterations of circulating monocytes with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients, concluding that monocyte distribution width (MDW) may retain clinical value in stratifying the risk of disease worsening. Through an electronic search in Medline and Scopus we performed an updated literature review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between increased MDW levels and illness severity in COVID-19 patients, deciphering role(s) and function(s) of monocytes in the harmful network underlining SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found that significantly elevated MDW values were frequently present in COVID-19 patients who developed unfavorable clinical outcomes, compounded by a significant association between monocyte anisocytosis and SARS-CoV-2 outcomes. These findings suggest that blood MDW index and its scatter plot could represent useful routine laboratory tools for early identification of patients at higher risk of unfavorable COVID-19 and for monitoring the progression of viral infection, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic efficacy throughout hospitalization. According to this evidence, therapeutic decisions in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection could benefit from monitoring MDW value, with administration of drugs limiting thrombo-inflammation due to monocyte hyper-activation in patients with severe/critical COVID-19 disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ligi
- Unit of Clinical Biochemistry, Section of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences-DISB, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Bruna Lo Sasso
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, BiND, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Brandon M Henry
- Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Marcello Ciaccio
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, BiND, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry and School of Medicine, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Mannello
- Unit of Clinical Biochemistry, Section of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences-DISB, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zettinig G. Schilddrüse und SARS-CoV-2. JOURNAL FÜR KLINISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE UND STOFFWECHSEL 2022; 15:100-104. [PMID: 36068883 PMCID: PMC9437391 DOI: 10.1007/s41969-022-00173-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungEs gibt verschiedene Wechselwirkungen zwischen einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion und der Schilddrüse, bidirektional in beide Richtungen: Bei einer schweren COVID-19-Infektion sind Veränderungen der Schilddrüsenhormonspiegel ein Marker für eine schlechtere Prognose. SARS-CoV‑2 scheint sowohl direkt mit Thyreozyten zu interagieren als auch das Immunsystem zu modulieren und Immunthyreopathien triggern zu können. Bereits 2020 wurde die „SARS-CoV-2-assoziierte Thyreoiditis“ bei Patienten mit COVID-19 beschrieben, die ähnlich einer subakuten Thyreoiditis verläuft, allerdings typischerweise schmerzlos. Es gibt inzwischen verschiedenste Berichte über das Auftreten einer chronischen Immunthyreoiditis und eines Morbus Basedow sowohl nach Virusinfektion als auch nach Impfung. Eine bestehende Schilddrüsenerkrankung scheint weder mit einem höheren Risiko für eine SARS-CoV-2-Infektion noch mit einem schwereren Krankheitsverlauf assoziiert zu sein. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird der derzeitige Wissensstand bezüglich Schilddrüse und SARS-CoV‑2 zusammengefasst.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Zettinig
- Schilddrüsenpraxis Josefstadt, Laudongasse 12/8, 1080 Wien, Österreich
- Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Moatar AI, Chis AR, Marian C, Sirbu IO. Gene Network Analysis of the Transcriptome Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Interacting MicroRNAs in COVID-19 Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169239. [PMID: 36012503 PMCID: PMC9409149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of June 2022, over 536 million confirmed COVID-19 disease cases and over 6.3 million deaths had been globally reported. COVID-19 is a multiorgan disease involving multiple intricated pathological mechanisms translated into clinical, biochemical, and molecular changes, including microRNAs. MicroRNAs are essential post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, being involved in the modulation of most biological processes. In this study, we characterized the biological impact of SARS-CoV-2 interacting microRNAs differentially expressed in COVID-19 disease by analyzing their impact on five distinct tissue transcriptomes. To this end, we identified the microRNAs’ predicted targets within the list of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in tissues affected by high loads of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Next, we submitted the tissue-specific lists of the predicted microRNA-targeted DEGs to gene network functional enrichment analysis. Our data show that the upregulated microRNAs control processes such as mitochondrial respiration and cytokine and cell surface receptor signaling pathways in the heart, lymph node, and kidneys. In contrast, downregulated microRNAs are primarily involved in processes related to the mitotic cell cycle in the heart, lung, and kidneys. Our study provides the first exploratory, systematic look into the biological impact of the microRNAs associated with COVID-19, providing a new perspective for understanding its multiorgan physiopathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ioana Moatar
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Complex Network Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Aimee Rodica Chis
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Complex Network Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Catalin Marian
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Complex Network Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioan-Ovidiu Sirbu
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Complex Network Science, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, E. Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-756-136-272
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lane JB, Stahly S, Sills A, Wagner SD, Zimmerman S, Martin D, Sukpraprut-Braaten S. Examination of Cutaneous Changes Among Patients Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Cureus 2022; 14:e27052. [PMID: 36000106 PMCID: PMC9389603 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been found to develop a variety of cutaneous symptoms. This study sought to describe varying cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 in individuals presenting to an inpatient healthcare facility. We screened individuals who presented with COVID-19 for skin changes throughout the illness and administered a survey regarding demographics, medical history, and their cutaneous findings. Three individuals reported varying skin findings including wheals, petechiae, ecchymosis, and papules. One individual reported a worsening skin condition, psoriasis, as well as a new skin condition, seborrheic dermatitis. In conclusion, cutaneous manifestations of patients suffering from COVID-19 are wide-ranging and worsening skin conditions amongst these patients should be further investigated.
Collapse
|
15
|
Ligi D, Giglio RV, Henry BM, Lippi G, Ciaccio M, Plebani M, Mannello F. What is the impact of circulating histones in COVID-19: a systematic review. Clin Chem Lab Med 2022; 60:1506-1517. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The infectious respiratory condition COVID-19 manifests a clinical course ranging from mild/moderate up-to critical systemic dysfunction and death linked to thromboinflammation. During COVID-19 infection, neutrophil extracellular traps participating in cytokine storm and coagulation dysfunction have emerged as diagnostic/prognostic markers. The characterization of NET identified that mainly histones, have the potential to initiate and propagate inflammatory storm and thrombosis, leading to increased disease severity and decreased patient survival. Baseline assessment and serial monitoring of blood histone concentration may be conceivably useful in COVID-19. We performed a literature review to explore the association among increased circulating levels of histones, disease severity/mortality in COVID-19 patients, and comparison of histone values between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. We carried out an electronic search in Medline and Scopus, using the keywords “COVID-19” OR “SARS-CoV-2” AND “histone” OR “citrullinated histones” OR “hyperhistonemia”, between 2019 and present time (i.e., June 07th, 2022), which allowed to select 17 studies, totaling 1,846 subjects. We found that substantially elevated histone values were consistently present in all COVID-19 patients who developed unfavorable clinical outcomes. These findings suggest that blood histone monitoring upon admission and throughout hospitalization may be useful for early identification of higher risk of unfavorable COVID-19 progression. Therapeutic decisions in patients with SARS-CoV-2 based on the use of histone cut-off values may be driven by drugs engaging histones, finally leading to the limitation of cytotoxic, inflammatory, and thrombotic effects of circulating histones in viral sepsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ligi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences—DISB, Section of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , University of Urbino Carlo Bo , Urbino , Italy
| | - Rosaria Vincenza Giglio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics – BiND , Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Brandon M. Henry
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension , Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center , Ohio , OH , USA
- IFCC Working Group on SARS-CoV-2 Variants , Milan , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, Section of Clinical Biochemistry , University Hospital of Verona , Verona , Italy
- IFCC Task Force on COVID-19 , Verona , Italy
| | - Marcello Ciaccio
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics – BiND , Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Laboratory Medicine , University Hospital of Padova , Padova , Italy
- IFCC Working Group on SARS-CoV-2 Variants , Milan , Italy
| | - Ferdinando Mannello
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences—DISB, Section of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , Unit of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Urbino Carlo Bo , Urbino , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Petersen DC, Steyl C, Scholtz D, Baker B, Abdullah I, Uren C, Möller M. African Genetic Representation in the Context of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Severity. Front Genet 2022; 13:909117. [PMID: 35620464 PMCID: PMC9127354 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.909117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Desiree C Petersen
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Chrystal Steyl
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Denise Scholtz
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bienyameen Baker
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ibtisam Abdullah
- Division of Haematological Pathology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and NHLS Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Caitlin Uren
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Marlo Möller
- DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, South African Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sarkar S, Sen R. Insights into Cardiovascular Defects and Cardiac Epigenome in the Context of COVID-19. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:epigenomes6020013. [PMID: 35645252 PMCID: PMC9150012 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although few in number, studies on epigenome of the heart of COVID-19 patients show that epigenetic signatures such as DNA methylation are significantly altered, leading to changes in expression of several genes. It contributes to pathogenic cardiac phenotypes of COVID-19, e.g., low heart rate, myocardial edema, and myofibrillar disarray. DNA methylation studies reveal changes which likely contribute to cardiac disease through unknown mechanisms. The incidence of severe COVID-19 disease, including hospitalization, requiring respiratory support, morbidity, and mortality, is disproportionately higher in individuals with co-morbidities. This poses unprecedented strains on the global healthcare system. While their underlying conditions make patients more susceptible to severe COVID-19 disease, strained healthcare systems, lack of adequate support, or sedentary lifestyles from ongoing lockdowns have proved detrimental to their underlying health conditions, thus pushing them to severe risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) itself. Prophylactic vaccines against COVID-19 have ushered new hope for CHD. A common connection between COVID-19 and CHD is SARS-CoV-2’s host receptor ACE2, because ACE2 regulates and protects organs, including the heart, in various ways. ACE2 is a common therapeutic target against cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 which damages organs. Hence, this review explores the above regarding CHDs, cardiovascular damage, and cardiac epigenetics, in COVID-19 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Sarkar
- New Brunswick Heart Centre, Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB E2L 4L2, Canada;
| | - Rwik Sen
- Active Motif, Inc., 1914 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Loss of Detection of sgN Precedes Viral Abridged Replication in COVID-19-Affected Patients-A Target for SARS-CoV-2 Propagation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23041941. [PMID: 35216056 PMCID: PMC8878976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of prophylactic agents against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a public health priority in the search for new surrogate markers of active virus replication. Early detection markers are needed to follow disease progression and foresee patient negativization. Subgenomic RNA transcripts (with a focus on sgN) were evaluated in oro/nasopharyngeal swabs from COVID-19-affected patients with an analysis of 315 positive samples using qPCR technology. Cut-off Cq values for sgN (Cq < 33.15) and sgE (Cq < 34.06) showed correlations to high viral loads. The specific loss of sgN in home-isolated and hospitalized COVID-19-positive patients indicated negativization of patient condition, 3–7 days from the first swab, respectively. A new detection kit for sgN, gene E, gene ORF1ab, and gene RNAse P was developed recently. In addition, in vitro studies have shown that 2’-O-methyl antisense RNA (related to the sgN sequence) can impair SARS-CoV-2 N protein synthesis, viral replication, and syncytia formation in human cells (i.e., HEK-293T cells overexpressing ACE2) upon infection with VOC Alpha (B.1.1.7)-SARS-CoV-2 variant, defining the use that this procedure might have for future therapeutic actions against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
|
19
|
Odilov A, Volkov A, Abdullaev A, Gasanova T, Lipina T, Babichenko I. COVID-19: Multiorgan Dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 Is Driven by Pulmonary Factors. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010039. [PMID: 35062243 PMCID: PMC8777766 DOI: 10.3390/v14010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-organ failure is one of the common causes of fatal outcome in COVID-19 patients. However, the pathogenetic association of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load (VL) level with fatal dysfunctions of the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, spleen and brain, as well as with the risk of death in COVID-19 patients remains poorly understood. SARS-CoV-2 VL in the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, brain, spleen and lymph nodes have been measured by RT qPCR using the following formula: NSARS-CoV-2/NABL1 × 100. Dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in 30.5% of cases was mono-organ, and in 63.9% of cases, it was multi-organ. The average SARS-CoV-2 VL in the exudative phase of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was 60 times higher than in the proliferative phase. The SARS-CoV-2 VL in the lungs ranged from 0 to 250,281 copies. The "pulmonary factors" of SARS-CoV-2 multi-organ dissemination are the high level of SARS-CoV-2 VL (≥4909) and the exudative phase of DAD. The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 dissemination to lymph nodes was 86.9%, heart-56.5%, spleen-52.2%, liver-47.8%, kidney-26%, and brain-13%. We found no link between the SARS-CoV-2 VL level in the liver, kidneys, and heart and the serum level of CPK, LDH, ALP, ALT, AST and Cr of COVID-19 patients. Isolated detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the myocardium of COVID-19 patients who died from heart failure is possible. The pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated multi-organ failure requires further research in a larger cohort of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akmaljon Odilov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples′ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow 117198, Russia; (A.V.); (I.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexey Volkov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples′ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow 117198, Russia; (A.V.); (I.B.)
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Municipal Clinical Hospital Named after E.O. Mukhin, Moscow 111399, Russia
| | - Adhamjon Abdullaev
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, National Research Center for Hematology, Novy Zykovski lane 4a, Moscow 125167, Russia;
| | - Tatiana Gasanova
- Department of Virology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gori, 1, 40, Moscow 119234, Russia;
| | - Tatiana Lipina
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gori, 1, 12, Moscow 119234, Russia;
| | - Igor Babichenko
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples′ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow 117198, Russia; (A.V.); (I.B.)
| |
Collapse
|